Competency Description

Ability to foster a welcoming and respectful workplace environment while recognizing personal differences. Ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and respectful manner while appreciating the importance of a workforce that benefits from the talents of all people across multiple characteristics, including: race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.

Proficiency Levels & Typical Behaviors

Basic

• Understands the University’s commitment to creating a workplace environment where people of all backgrounds and perspectives feel welcomed and appreciated, and how that commitment relates to one’s role at the university.
• Demonstrates civil and respectful behaviors in support of the Policy on Ethics and Responsibilities for UI Staff and the UI Human Rights policy that prohibits “differences in treatment of persons because of race, creed, color, religion, national origins, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.”
• Knows where to find organizational policies, procedures, and resources related to respectful behavior and free expression.

Working

• Maintains productive work relationships while considering multiple perspectives.
• Resolves cross-cultural conflicts effectively.
• Understands and describes the unit’s commitment to creating a workplace environment where people of all backgrounds and perspectives feel welcomed and appreciated, and the reasons for its importance.
• Contributes to a welcoming and respectful workplace environment as described above.

Extensive

• Promotes a workplace environment where people of all backgrounds and perspectives feel welcomed and appreciated, where every individual is empowered to make a positive impact, and in which workplace concerns are addressed effectively.
• Identifies unit policies and practices that could have a disparate impact based on protected classifications as defined by federal and/or state law.
• Recommends policies and practices to advance a welcoming and respectful workplace environment as described above.
• Forms respectful relationships with individuals and organizations representing various constituencies, and seeks regular input to better understand potential issues and to enhance recruitment and retention efforts.
• Supports implementation of unit strategic plans related to a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
• Engages in on-going self-reflection and continues to advance one’s own knowledge and skills related to fostering a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
• Recognizes and addresses disrespectful or non-welcoming behavior in one’s unit/department.

Expert/Leader

• Communicates to multiple internal and external constituencies the importance of a welcoming and respectful workplace environment where people of all backgrounds and perspectives feel welcomed and appreciated, and where every individual is empowered to make a positive impact, to advance the UI’s mission.
• Uses data to evaluate outcomes of policies and practices in their unit and implements continuous improvement strategies to enhance a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
• Coaches and teaches others to develop a welcoming and respectful workplace environment where people of all backgrounds and perspectives feel welcomed and appreciated, and where every individual is empowered to make a positive impact.
• Considers the importance of a welcoming and respectful workplace environment in unit strategic planning.
• Promotes a welcoming and respectful workplace environment that recognizes, celebrates, and rewards behaviors that support the university’s core values.
• Recognizes and addresses disrespectful or non-welcoming behavior, including one’s own; holds people accountable for such behavior.